Just when you thought it couldn't get any sillier, I found a Mouli

The things that took place during our childhood years are often the most influential things in our lives. Good memories and bad ones alike become a part of who we grow up to become. I've talked about my dad being the original foodie back in the 1970s, and my mom with her unique life story and German American fusion style of cooking. I've also talked about my never ending love for gadgets and interesting utensils and appliances destined to make food prep easier. Way back in the filed away memories of my childhood there is a utensil so interesting, old and unique, and FUN to play with, that I've never forgotten about it, talked about it often, and recently acquired a couple of my very own. I'm talking about the Mouli Shredder.

Long long before the word "mandolin" was part of my vocabulary I was slicing and shredding things like a pro when my mom broke out the old Mouli. Her lentil soup and potato pancakes is the stuff of legends, but shredding all those potatoes was a nightmare, unless you had the Mouli. What exactly is the Mouli? I thought you'd never ask. Long long before I was ever a thought, a company in France had a brilliant idea. In 1932 Jean Mantelet created a food mill. Made of metal, probably tin of some kind, his goal was to make the kitchen chores of the average housewife a little easier by creating utensils that did a lot of the hard work for her. After the food mill, a rotary grater, a ricer, and the "coupe"- the Mouli I love so much, were introduced in 1935. Millions were sold! The company became known as Moulinex in 1956 and continued to introduce kitchen helpers over the years. 

In the 1960s, as more women joined the workforce, technology was advancing and Moulinex introduced electric versions of some of their appliances. By the time the 70s rolled around, 50% of the company's business was outside of France, and they began selling appliances such as blenders, electric coffeemakers and even microwaves. Today, the company still provides a variety of appliances to perform all kinds of kitchen tasks. They look drastically different from the old Mouli still tucked away in my parents' kitchen cabinet!

This is ridiculous amounts of fun.

Browsing thrift stores with Jessica, my almost sister, is one of my favorite things to do. I always hit the kitchen section immediately, always on the hunt for unique knives, cool old utensils, maybe some delicate china teacups, and, you guessed it- Moulis. I already have three!! I can't help but feel a close connection to this crazy looking thing that folds up for easier storage and comes with a stack of disks of death- sharp edges and slicy blades and shreddy grooves. Yes, each one comes with the same disks, and the style is always basically the same, but I have both the original metal Mouli and a crazy orange plastic (so 70s!!) Mouli and I love them all the same. 

A modern version of the Mouli.

Since reconnecting with the Moulis in my life, the Chef and I don't even own a box grater. Need some cheese shredded? I'll get out the Mouli! Cole slaw? Break out the Mouli! Making some hash browns? You guessed it, I'll use the Mouli. I can't help myself. If I sit there at the kitchen island, and close my eyes while turning the crank handle around a few times I can almost travel back in time to my mom's kitchen, and piles of potatoes waiting to be shredded, and turning til my arm was rubbery felling.......and I can't help but smile.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 55: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."